Science in the Schools

To ensure that all students graduating from the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are literate citizens of science we have enacted a robust science program in all grades both in the classroom and after-school.

In elementary school, our curriculum relies on the Chicago Mathematics and Science Initiative (CMSI) Instructional Materials. These sets of science lessons, selected and sequenced by Chicago teachers with the help of national learning scientists, create a grade appropriate and aligned science program for all students. When combined with laboratory materials available from our Science Resource Center, students are able to have a powerful hands-on scientific experience at an early age. Use of the CMSI program is behind many of the academic gains made by our schools in recent years.

In high school, our curriculum builds on the groundwork laid in elementary school with the use of Instructional Development System (IDS) curriculum programs. This vertically aligned sequence of science courses developed by our local university partners, Illinois Institute of Technology, Loyola University, Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago, provides our students with rigorous learning opportunities both in the classroom and the laboratory. Though in early its implementation, teachers have reported that the IDS program has had a positive impact on their students learning and interest in science.

Science learning in CPS doesn’t stop when the school day ends. Throughout the year we offer numerous after school and extracurricular science options. Elementary school students can participate in the You Be the Chemist Challenge, the CPS Student Science Fair, FIRST Robotics Competition, and new this year the CPS-Science Olympiad Urban Schools Initiative. High school students can participate in the CPS Student Science Fair, FIRST Robotics Competition, the CPS-Science Olympiad Urban Schools Initiative, the Fairchild Challenge, and the Chicago Conservation Corps to name but a few.

For this year’s Chicago Science in the City, CPS again has partnered with Science Olympiad to offer an event entitled Gummi Bear Long Jump. In this event, students will have the opportunity to explore what affects the projectile motion of an object. Attendees to Chicago Science in the City will be able to try their hand at the Gummi Bear Long Jump as well as receive instructions on how to try the event at home. In addition, professional development workshops on this event will be offered during the school year so teachers will have the option of learning about how this activity can be integrated into their classes. Teachers attending one of these workshops will be provided with materials to conduct the Gummi Bear Long Jump back at their schools.